Trevor Gibbons
BBC News

People in England's biggest county consider themselves more Yorkshire than English, according to an online survey.

Image source, Getty Images

The Yorkshire Society's Big Yorkshire Conversation had more than 4,500 responses collated by the University of Hull.

The county has more than five million inhabitants.

Stewart Arnold, from the university, said: "It isn't saying they are not English but they just feel more Yorkshire."

The survey asked questions on identity, the use of Yorkshire by brands and devolution.

When asked what gave Yorkshire its identity, 'people' was the top answer followed by 'landscape'.

BBC Weather

Today, spells of rain will gradually push eastwards. Some sunshine will develop in the afternoon, but along with scattered heavy showers; these are likely to be thundery at times. A breezy day.

Tonight, spells of rain and showers will clear eastwards to leave a largely dry and clear night. However, the odd shower could linger in places. A gentle westerly breeze.

Police searching for a missing 76-year-old man have discovered a body in a river.

Image source, North Yorkshire Police

Although the body has not been formally identified, North Yorkshire Police said it is believed to be that of Anthony Atkinson who was reported missing from his home in York on Tuesday.

Divers recovered the body from the River Ouse at Clifton Ings on Thursday afternoon.

Mr Atkinson's family have been informed and are being supported, police said.

He was was last seen by his family on Tuesday morning when he left his home in the Acomb area of the city for a walk.

His disappearance was described as "out of character".

Leeds Rhinos' second-half fightback keeps their Super League play-off hopes alive in victory against Hull FC.

The Victorian mill in Leeds could be converted into a northern base for the British Library.

Three people have been arrested over the death of a man found badly hurt in a North Yorkshire park.

Image source, Chris Heaton/Geograph

The victim died in hospital after suffering serious injuries at Aireville Park, Skipton, at about 20:00 BST on Wednesday, police said.

One man was arrested in the town afterwards, while officers detained two others at addresses in West Yorkshire on Thursday.

All three remain in custody, according to North Yorkshire Police.

Det Insp Steve Menzies appealed for anyone with information to get in touch and asked drivers to check dashcam footage.

"Investigations are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, but I would like to reassure the local community this appears to be an isolated incident with no threat to the public," he said.

BBC Radio Leeds

Leeds Olympic medallist Matty Lee is back home, but says he's still not watched the competition in which he and Tom Daley won gold.

Matty and Tom Daley won the men's synchronised 10m platform in Japan on Monday.

In an interview with BBC Radio Leeds, Matty said: "I've seen little clips, I've seen our reaction. I've watched that many times and, literally, it almost brings tears to my eyes every time.

"I can't wait to actually watch the whole competition back, knowing I can relax when I watch it."

Image source, Adam Davy/PA Wire

Matty trained as a diver at the John Charles Centre for Sport in Leeds, before moving to London three years ago. He's now celebrating with his family in his home city.

"Almost all of my career has been made in Leeds," said Matty. "I owe so much to the diving club here. Leeds is home; London is just where I work."

He said his brother inspired him to begin diving and is grateful for his family's support: "I owe them an awful, awful lot. When I was waiting to go up onto the podium itself, I took a moment to think about how my family would be feeling, and it brought me to tears, thinking oh my god, everything my whole family has sacrificed for me has been worthwhile."

Matty says he's now looking forward to some well earned rest - and some pizza.

North Yorkshire hospital chiefs say they face the toughest staff shortages since the pandemic began.

BBC Radio Leeds

One of the original litter pickers - Orinoco from The Wombles - has swapped Wimbledon Common for Wakefield's Thornes Park as part of a campaign against rubbish.

Image source, Wakefield Council

Wakefield Council are running a "Litter Pick Me Up Park" project to encourage people to stop dropping their waste.

To mark Love Parks Week, external, people have been taking part in what the council says is its biggest ever litter-pick event, to the sound of a live brass band. New so-called "fun bins" and litter picking stations have also been installed.

Councillor Jack Hemmingway told BBC Radio Leeds: "We've seen an absolutely colossal amount of litter.

"If we as a local council can take even some small steps to help the environment, to help nature recover, to help make the Wakefield district a greener place to live, at the same time as engaging a new generation, I think it's a win-win really."

A teenage boy who drowned in a lake at a nature reserve in North Lincolnshire has been named by police.

Image source, Family photo

Kai Gardner-Pugh, 14, died after getting into difficulty in the water at the Ashby Ville site in Scunthorpe on Tuesday.

Humberside Police say his family are being supported by specially trained officers.

On Wednesday the force issued an appeal for any witnesses to come forward, saying officers were keen to trace a man who they believe may have seen what happened.

The man is described as wearing a black polo shirt with grey denim shorts, and is reported to have white hair and a beard.

BBC Radio York

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service says it has been involved in nearly 80 water rescues in the past year, 10 of which were fatalities.

Image source, BEN LACK

It follows a number of recent incidents where people have lost their lives after going into water.

Last week, a 19-year-old man died after going into the river at Grassington Bridge near Skipton, in the Yorkshire Dales.

A 55-year-old man also died after being rescued from the sea near Filey.

Tony Peel, a station manager at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, told BBC Radio York that they've also seen an increase in so called "tombstoning" in some areas, where people dive or jump into water from high cliffs and rocks.

Police are continuing to appeal for a man who may have seen what happened when a teenage boy drowned in a lake in North Lincolnshire earlier this week to come forward.

Divers recovered the body of the 14-year-old at the Ashby Ville site in Scunthorpe on Tuesday.

Emergency services were called to the scene at about 15:00 BST after the boy got into difficulty in the water.

Det Ch Insp Grant Taylor, from Humberside Police, said officers would particularly like to speak to the man who they believe may hold "key information" about the incident.

The man is described as wearing a black polo shirt with grey denim shorts, and is reported to have white hair and a beard.

The volume sold at auction in North Yorkshire for almost three times its estimated price.

Sarah Wakefield
BBC Radio Leeds News

A civic reception is going to be held by Wakefield Council to celebrate Featherstone Rovers winning rugby league's 1895 Cup.

Image source, Wakefield Council

Featherstone Rovers beat York City Knights 41–34 on 17 July to lift the cup, with Featherstone’s Craig Hall winning the Player of the Match.

Super League side Castleford Tigers were also at Wembley that day, but lost to St Helens in the Challenge Cup Final.

Councillor Denise Jeffrey, leader of the council, said: "“We are incredibly proud of Featherstone Rovers and Castleford Tigers, for reaching their finals at Wembley. Whilst it wasn’t Castleford’s day, I am absolutely delighted for Featherstone Rovers and their superb win."

The civic reception will be held on the 23 August at the town hall.

Leyton Orient sign Lincoln City winger Theo Archibald on a season-long loan deal.

Campaigners previously opposed Harrogate Spring Water's plans to extend across community woodland.

A Liverpool fan who suffered life-changing injuries in the Hillsborough disaster has died.

Image source, Family Handout via PA Media

Andrew Devine, 55, died on Tuesday, his family said in a statement released by Liverpool FC.

It added: "Our collective devastation is overwhelming but so too is the realisation that we were blessed to have had Andrew with us for 32 years."

Ninety-six other people died at the Sheffield football ground due to the crush at the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in 1989.

Mr Devine was described by his family as a "much-loved son, brother and uncle" who had been supported by his family and a team of dedicated carers.

"We welcome the conclusion of the coroner, Mr Andre Rebello, made today at Liverpool Coroner's Court, that Andrew was unlawfully killed, making him the 97th fatality of the tragic events that occurred on April 15, 1989," they added.

In 2016, an inquest jury ruled 96 Liverpool fans had been unlawfully killed in the Hillsborough disaster.

Until Mr Devine's death, the last of the victims had been Tony Bland, who was left severely brain damaged by the crush at the stadium but lived until 1993.

A hospital trust which provides mental health care for patients across the north east and North Yorkshire has moved to the highest alert level due to demand for services.

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust runs mental health, learning disability and eating disorder services across Teesside, York, North Yorkshire, Darlington and County Durham.

On Friday the trust moved to operational pressures escalation level (OPEL) four – the highest level.

NHS England guidance says OPEL four is declared when “pressure in the local health and social care system continues to escalate leaving organisations unable to deliver comprehensive care”.

Ruth Hill, chief operating officer for the trust, said: “We are currently seeing high demand for our services – we are ensuring that those who need care continue to receive it and we encourage people to come forward for the help they need.”

A spokesperson said the trust is working hard to reduce pressures in the service as quickly as possible.

BBC Weather

Today, patchy cloud will build, bringing few spots of rain. However, due to the patchy nature of the cloud, sunny spells are also likely to develop in places throughout.

Tonight, areas of thicker cloud will gradually build. Spells of rain will then arrive from the south by dawn, these may be heavy in places.

A music venue and pub saved from permanent closure by a public crowdfunding campaign is to reopen in August.

Image source, Handout

Forced to shut its doors due to the pandemic, The Polar Bear in Hull went into administration in July 2020.

More than £19,000 was raised for a Community Interest Company (CIC) to take over the site and buy new equipment including a sound system.

New owners Polar Bear Music Club said it was reopening on "a shoe-string".

They thanked the public for their support but said the future of the venue, on Spring Bank, "continues to be on a knife edge".